Liz O'Donnell
Question:30 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform prior to the divorce referendum, the plans, if any, he has to increase funding to agencies such as the Family Mediation Service. [1993/95]
Written Answers. - Family Mediation Service.
Mary Harney
Question:40 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to put in place a system by which a more orderly allocation of funds could be made to the Marriage Counselling Service for 1995; if he will increases those funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1995/95]
Eric J. Byrne
Question:91 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the funding currently made available to the Marriage Counselling Service Limited; his views on whether this amount is adequate; the plans, if any, he has to increase it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2183/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 40 and 91 together.
My Department has responsibility for, among other matters, the Family Mediation Service and Exchequer funding of marriage guidance and counselling services, in addition to legal aid and reform of family law. In each of these areas I am engaged in implementing a comprehensive programme of legislation and administrative measures of protection and support for couples who, for one reason or another, are in difficulty with their marriage.
In the context of marriage breakdown I am very aware that immediate resort to the law could affect the prospect of reconciliation or of voluntary settlement. Therefore, where there is a possibility of a reconciliation people should be encouraged and facilitated to avail of counselling. It is equally important that where parties can settle the terms of their separation they should be facilitated to do so by way of mediation. The importance of this was recognised in the Judicial Separation and Family Law Reform Act, 1989, section 5 of which requires a solicitor acting for and applicant for a decree of separation to ensure the applicant's awareness of alternatives to separation proceedings and to assist attempts at reconciliation.
A sum of £300,000 was provided for the Family Mediation Service in 1994, which was more than double the 1993 allocation of £124,000. That increase has allowed for arrangements at present being put in place for the opening of a second centre to be located in Limerick, the direct employment of full-time mediators and, in order to enable the service to be provided on a wide geographical basis, the employment of private mediators on a contract basis. A similar figure £300,000 has been provided in this year's Estimates to enable further expansion of the service.
Prior to 1994 grants to marriage guidance and counselling organisations were paid on anad hoc basis and there was neither a formal procedure for evaluating the requirements of the various organisations concerned nor was there any central departmental responsibility for the funding of those organisations. There had been little increase over the years in the amounts provided to the various organisations. In 1994, when I took over responsibility for marriage counselling, I was successful in obtaining £750,000 for voluntary organisations involved in marriage guidance and counselling — an increase of guidance per cent over previous allocations. A particular aim of the increased funding was to enable these voluntary organisations to expand and develop their services.
Last year, a total of 54 marriage counselling organisations were grant-aided. I am also happy to be able to say that a further £750,000 has been provided in my departmental Estimates for funding of these voluntary organisations this year.
Marriage Counselling Services Limited was one of the 54 organisations to receive funding last year. In 1994 that organisation received a grant of £67,000, which represented an increase of some £30,000 on State funding provided to them in 1993.
In the course of the next few weeks the 1995 grant application forms will be issued by my Department to the organisations concerned with delivery of marriage guidance and counselling. The 1995 allocation of grants will be determined as quickly as possible following receipt of the completed application forms.